Method of playing ancient Pai-Gow dominoe game

ABSTRACT

A casino game or home recreational game played between a dealer with from one to seven players. In a casino the dealer is a paid employee, while in a home game any player can assume the role of dealer. The game is played with a set of 32 special dominoes or a set of 32 special standard size playing cards. The dealer will scramble the dominoes or cards face down on the table, then randomly stack eight (8) rows of four (4) dominoes or cards. Part of the game is determining who will get the first stack of dominoes or cards. Three dice are used for this purpose. The dice are scrambled when they settle down the dice are added together. The starting position is at the dealer and is counted counter clockwise. Therefore with the game capable of handling seven (7) players the dealer is number 1, 9, 17. The first stack of dominoie or cards is give to the position matching the sum of the dice. The players the arrange their dominoes or cards in such a fashion to get the four dominoes or cards into two sets of matching pairs or failing to have any matching pairs try to come as close as possible to the sum of nine (9) in each set of two. Once every player has set their dominoes or cards the dealer will open his hand and like the players look for pairs. Failing to have any pairs he will them try to make both hands as close to nine as possible. Once all hands are exposed the dealer must beat the player on both of their hands to collect the wager, additionally the player must beat the dealer both hands to win the hand. All split hands where either the dealer or player wins one part and looses the second part is called a push and the hand is finished.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an ancient game called “PAI-GOW” (loosely translated means make nine). The game is played using 32 tiles of different denominations. The 32 different tiles make up 16 different pairs. Each pair has a distinct ranking, this ranking is used to determine a winner during play. In addition each of the 32 tiles have a distinct ranking also used to determine a winner during play. This game is historically stated as being over 5000 years old. One would think that such a game would be very popular with the gaming public. Due to the large amount of memorization necessary to properly play the game few of the gaming public ever try to learn. The rankings and rules of play are too burdensome to learn. It is the intent of this invention to maintain the historical rules of the game while simplifying the method of play so that the general gaming public could quickly learn the rankings of pairs and individual tiles with little to no memorization. The only knowledge required is to know which number is higher than the next (I.E. 2<3, 3<4, 5<6 . . . 11<12).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a ancient game called Pai-Gow although the game has been in existence for centuries few people play it due to it's complexity. It is the intention of this game invention to simply the method without loosing the basic rules. All of the prior art cited in this application deal with different ways to encourage more wagering, none deal with the fact that the original game is too complicated for the average person to take the time to learn how to play. This invention solves that problem, the average person can play with great skill with only a very short explanation of the method of play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A casino game played between a dealer and from one (1) to seven (7) players. The game is played using a set of 32 special dominoes (or a special set of 32 playing cards). The dealer scrambles the 32 tiles face down on the table (or shuffles the deck of cards) and then randomly stacks eight (8) rows of four (4) dominoes (or cards depending on the casino owner desire). The dealer has a container holding three (3) dice this container is shaken any convenient number of times. When the dice settle the sum of the three (3) dice determine what table position will get the first stack of dominoes or cards. The players will then arrange their dominoes or cards into two (2) stacks of two (2) in an attempt to make the highest possible rankings on each stack of two (2) dominoes or cards. The values of each hand is determined by;

-   -   1—A pair of same value dominoes or cards,     -   2—The highest-ranking pair of dominoes or cards,     -   3—A combination of the #12 domino or card with a #9 domino     -   4—A combination of the #12 domino or card with a #8 domino     -   5—Closest to the sum of nine (9).

The sum of the two dominoes or cards (2) are added, discarding the first digit of over ten, (i.e. Tile 8+Tile 7=15 discard the 1 this hand is a value of five (5). When all players have set their tiles into two (2) groups (known as front and back hands or low and high hands), the dealer now turns over his tiles or cards an will arrange his tiles or cards into the highest ranking combination possible in the same manner as all of the players. The dealer then compares his two sets of dominoes or cards, to each player's groups to determine whose hand is higher. Hands are evaluated by

-   -   1—Highest pair ranking,     -   2—Highest tile ranking in the event of a tie if a pair.     -   3—The hand with the #12 and #9 (called a high nine)     -   4—The hand with the #12 and #8 (called a high eight)     -   5—Then closest to the sum of nine (9).

The dealer must beat the players both hands for the casino to win or the player must beat the dealer's both hands for the player to win and collect an equal amount of his original wager. If either the dealer or player is higher on one hand and lower on the other hand, no wager, changes hands. This is called a “push”.

When black dominoes are used the numerals will have both white and red colors depending on the ranking of the tile. When white dominoes are used the numerals will have both black and red colors depending on the ranking of the tile. When cards are used the background will be white with black and red numerals depending on the ranking of the card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Depicts the existing type of table that can be used for blackjack pai-gow and other standard games. The player positions with their respective number specifically related to pai-gow are also shown. These number relate to the position that will receive the first stack of dominoes after the three (3) dice are shaken and added. The three (3) dice can roll a maximum of eighteen (18).

FIG. 2 Depicts the existing pair rankings of the ancient game of Pai-Gow.

FIG. 3 Depicts the new design of the tiles (domino) along with their ranking of the new and improved pair rankings used in the invention presented herein.

FIG. 4 Depicts the existing tile (domino) rankings of the dominoes in the existing ancient game of pai-gow.

FIG. 5 Depicts the new design and improved pair rankings of the game presented in this invention.

FIG. 6 Shows the pair rankings of the new design and improved design in the event the casino decides to use a deck of thirty-two (32) cards that are the same length and width and thickness as a standard deck of cards.

FIG. 7 Shows the card rankings of the new game of Pai-Gow presented herein.

FIG. 8 Shows the comparison pair rankings and the equivalent pair ranking between the ancient game and the new game presented herein.

FIG. 9 Shows the comparison tile rankings and the equivalent tiler ranking between the ancient game and the new game presented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The words Pai-Gow translates from Chinese. The word Pai translates as “hand”. The word Gow translates as “nine” therefore Pai-Gow means “hand of nine”. The game of pai-gow is played primarily by oriental descents. The game has not been changed in generations, thus few societies ever learn to play this game. The purpose of the enclosed patent is to keep the integrity of the game while making it straight forward for any person who now plays cards and to allow them to quickly learn this modern redesign of the game. The game is played with 32 dominoes, deck of 32 playing cards, or any media that can be printed embossed or engraved upon. This invention allows the average person to play without the intense memorization required in the ancient form. The game has the same number of playing pieces (32). The preferred embodiment uses both black and red numerals although they are not in equal number in the set of 32 It is preferred to use dominoes as in the ancient times but are all redesigned to reflect the modern version. Any media can be used if desired, such as dominoes, cards, or any item that can display the various values necessary to play the game. It is the desire of the inventor to induce all people to learn and enjoy this fascinating game of Pai-Gow. It is the intent of this invention to maintain the many of the existing ancient rules and method of play while eliminating the difficulty of play. It is the inventor's belief that more people will enjoy the game. For those in the gaming business, the new method of play will increase customer diversification. The rules are the same: One (1) to Seven (7) players; one dealer and 32 dominoes (or cards). A casino game played between a dealer and from one (1) to seven (7) players. The game is played using a set of 32 special dominoes (or a special set of 32 playing cards). The dealer scrambles the 32 tiles face down on the table (or shuffles the deck of cards) and then randomly stacks eight (8) rows of four (4) dominoes (or cards depending on the casino owner desire). The dealer has a container holding three (3) dice this container is shaken any convenient number of times. When the dice settle the sum of the three (3) dice determine what table position will get the first stack of dominoes or cards. The players will then arrange their dominoes or cards into two (2) stacks of two (2) in an attempt to make the highest possible rankings on each stack of two (2) dominoes or cards. The values of each hand is determined by;

-   -   1 Gee-Joon (wild 3 card plus wild 6 card)     -   2 Pair of same value dominoes or cards,     -   3 The highest-ranking pair of dominoes or cards,     -   4 A combination of the #12 domino or card with a #9 domino     -   5 A combination of the #12 domino or card with a #8 domino     -   6 Closest to the sum of nine (9).

The sum of the two dominoes or cards (2) are added, discarding the first digit of over ten, (i.e. Tile 8+Tile 7=15 discard the 1 this hand is a value of five (5). When all of the players have set their tiles into two (2) groups (known as front and back hands or low and high hands), the dealer will now turn over his tiles or cards and will arrange his tiles or cards into the highest ranking combination possible in the same manner as all of the players. The dealer then compares his two sets of dominoes or cards, to each player's grouping to determine whose hand is higher. Hands are evaluated by

-   -   1—Highest pair ranking,     -   2—Highest tile ranking in the event of a tie if a pair.     -   3—The hand with the #12 and #9 (called a high nine)     -   4—The hand with the #12 and #8 (called a high eight)     -   5—Then closest to the sum of nine (9).

The dealer the compares his hands to that of the player he must beat the players both hands (high and low) for the casino to win or the player must beat the dealer's both hands (high and low) for the player to win and collect an equal amount of his original wager. If either the dealer or player is higher on one hand and lower on the other hand, no wager, changes hands. This is called a “push”.

The casino has the opportunity to add an additional wagering bonus by adding a second wagering option by having a cumulative jackpot for those individuals who desire to make an extra wager. This jackpot wager will only pay a percentage of the jackpot for various premium hands obtained by the player,

-   -   Gee Joon (also called supreme) wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with         12 tile with 12     -   Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 11 tile with 11     -   Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 10 black tile with 10         black     -   Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 10 red tile with 10         red     -   Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 9 tile with 9

One skilled in the art can quickly realize that there are other combinations of tiles that can be added to the basic game and bonus. It would be impossible to describe all variations that can be added to the basic invention.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention has been described and illustrated, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such laminations are included in the claims and allowable equivalents thereof. 

1- A new improved method of playing the ancient game called: PAI-GOW” 2- The game according to claim 1 is without radical changes to the ancient methodology of play. 3- The game according to claim 1 is played with dominoes as done for centuries. 4- The game according to claim 1 is played with dominoes as done for centuries can be played without the need to memorize sixteen domino or card pair rankings. 5- The game according to claim 1 is played with dominoes as done for centuries can be played without the need to memorize seventeen domino or card rankings. 6- A method for accurate play by ranking each domino or card by their face value i.e. 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and a wild three (3) can be used as a six (6), and the wild six (6) can be used as a three (3) at the discretion of the dealer and player. 7- The game according to claim 6 is played with standard size (width, length and thickness) playing cards to agree with the 32 values. 8- The game according to claim 6 is played with numerals using black and red colors to maintain the historical significance of the colors 9- The game according to claim 6 is played with a bonus jackpot for getting certain combinations of hands i.e. wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 12 tile with 12 Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 11 tile with 11 Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 10 black tile with 10 black Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 10 red tile with 10 red Gee Joon wild 3 tile with wild 6 tile with 9 tile with
 9. As in the ancient game the three (3) can be used as a six (6), and the six (6) can be used as a three at the discretion of the dealer and player
 10. The game according to claim 6 has a combination of old history and modern redesign of a game tiles to allow those accustomed to reading the old tiles from the upper right hand corner
 11. The game according to claim 6 accommodates those accustomed to playing with ordinary playing cards will have the numerals on the upper left corner. 